The short list of desirable defensemen on the trading block
was trimmed by one when the New Jersey Devils acquired Sean O'Donnell from the
Minnesota Wild for defenseman Willie Mitchell.

After Rob Blake and Eric Weinrich were dealt, O'Donnell,
an unrestricted free agent next summer, seemed to be the defenseman most in
demand in what is clearly not a buyer's market.

The Devils' logic for the O'Donnell acquisition is undeniable.
O'Donnell used to play for coach Larry Robinson in Los Angeles, and New Jersey
general manager Lou Lamoriello made it clear that what he really liked was that
he had played 60 games under coach Jacques Lemaire in Minnesota, meaning he
will understand the Devils' system.

O'Donnell adds more bullishness to a team that already
has strong defensemen Scott Stevens, Ken Daneyko and Colin White to go along
with puck movers Scott Niedermayer and Brian Rafalski.

The Wild view the 6-3, 205-pound Mitchell, 23, as a player
who could be in their lineup for many years. "Mitchell is a young prospect that
we are going to work on developing for the long-term success of the organization,"
said general manager Doug Risebrough, who dealt left wing Scott Pellerin to
the Carolina Hurricanes last week. "He's a defenseman that can play both ways
and has a definite upside to his game."

Ottawa at New Jersey (Tuesday): With this game and
Sunday's at Washington, the Senators can make some room for themselves atop
the Eastern Conference.

Colorado at Dallas (Saturday): Rivalry is renewed
during a home-and-home set.

Around the leagues: The Stars could be without center
Joe Nieuwendyk (groin muscle) for the rest of the regular season. He's
out 3-6 weeks. They also lost right wing Jamie Langenbrunner (abdominal
strain) in Sunday's game. ... Coyotes goaltender Sean Burke (groin muscle)
is day-to-day. ... Hurricanes defenseman Glen Wesley left Sunday's game
when he cut his face after tumbling into an open penalty box door.